THE FECKENHAM MEN HE jolly men at Feckenham TH Don't count their goods as common men, Their heads are full of silly dreams From half-past ten to half-past ten, They'll tell you why the stars are bright, The jolly men at Feckenham Draw wages of the sun and rain, Now here's a tale of Feckenham These jolly men of Feckenham One day when summer strode in power Went down, it seems, among their lands And saw their bean fields all in flower"Wheat ricks," they said, "be good to see; What would a rick of blossoms be?" So straight they brought the sickles out JOHN DRINKWATER T THE THREE CHERRY TREES HERE were three cherry trees once, Grew in a garden all shady; And there for delight of so gladsome a sight, Dreamed a most beautiful lady. Birds in those branches did sing, But she walking there was by far the most fair- But blossoms to berries do come, All hanging on stalks light and slender, And one long summer's day charmed that lady away, With vows sweet and merry and tender, A lover with voice low and tender. Moss and lichen the green branches deck; Yet a light footstep seems there to wander in dreams, The ghost of that beautiful lady, That happy and beautiful lady. WALTER DE LA MARE KALLUNBORG CHURCH UILD at Kallunborg by the sea BUILD A church as stately as church may be, And there shalt thou wed my daughter fair," Said the Earl of Nesvek to Esbern Snare. And the Baron laughed. But Esbern said, "Though I lose my soul, I will Helva wed!" And off he strode, in his pride of will, To the Troll who dwelt in Ulshoi Hill. "Build, oh, Troll, a church for me At Kallunborg by the mighty sea; Build it stately and build it fair, Build it quickly," said Esbern Snare. But the sly dwarf said, "No work is wrought By Trolls of the Hills, O man, for naught. What wilt thou give for thy church so fair?" "Set thy own price!" quoth Esbern Snare. "When Kallunborg Church is builded well Thou must the name of the builder tell, Or thy heart and thy eyes must be my boon." "Build," said Esbern, "And build it soon.” By night and by day the Troll wrought on; He hewed the timber, he piled the stone; |